Field of Invention

The invention relates generally to a portable floating device. In particular, it relates to a portable floating device that is collapsible into a small and compact package while being easily reassemble-able to provide a hydro-stable sailing device.

Background

Sailing and windsurfing are gaining popularity both as a recreational activity and as a sporting event evidenced by an increasing number of people taking up these sports. However, the equipment used for these sports are usually big, bulky and difficult for carrying around especially when utilising public transportation.

A conventional rigid sailboard typically needs to be strapped onto the top of a vehicle or to be placed onto a specialised rack on a vehicle. These tasks are not easy for many modestly sized individuals who would prefer to use minimal effort and expense when participating in any sporting activities. Therefore, it would be difficult for most people to enjoy this hobby without investing in some form of expensive equipment.

Water sport novices are typically not familiar with water and weather conditions required for sailing. In addition, they need to be taught the skills required for maneuvering a sailboard or other floating devices while maintaining balance on the floating device. These novices will not only have problems maintaining balance while being out in the sea on a surfboard, they will also easily tire from trying to maintain control of the sail while standing up. A typical sailing boat may resolve the balance problem but is structurally too big and expensive for a person from the street who just wants to have a simple sailing experience without incurring high expenses or hassle.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that there is still a need for a floating device which is collapsible into a small and compact package for easy transportation. Additionally the floating device must be easy to maneuver and provide stability to the person while providing a comfortable position wherefrom the sail is controllable.

Summary Of The Invention

Embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are collapsible and easy to store while being easy to reassemble into a stable floating device. Additionally, the floating device is cost effective and therefore affordable for providing various forms and styles of recreational sailing activities.

Therefore, in accordance with a first aspect of the invention, a floating device for sailing is disclosed. The floating device comprises first, second and third floats, the first, second and third floats being water-buoyant. In addition, a body of the floating device is collapsible into at least two segments, the body being shaped and dimensioned for spatially inter-displacing and configuring the first, second and third floats. The first and second floats are configured for impeding rotational hydro-mobility substantially about a first axis. Furthermore, the first, second and third floats are configured for impeding rotational hydro-mobility substantially about a second axis being perpendicular to the first axis.

In accordance with a second aspect of the invention, a floating device for sailing is disclosed. The floating device comprising of first, second and third floats, the first, second and third floats being water-buoyant. In addition, a body of the floating device is shaped and dimensioned for spatially inter-displacing and configuring the first, second and third floats. The first and second floats are configured for impeding rotational hydro- mobility substantially about a first axis. Furthermore, the first, second and third floats are configured for impeding rotational hydro-mobility substantially about a second axis being perpendicular to the first axis.

A propulsion means is couplable to at least one of the floats and the body, whereby the propulsion means is operable for propelling the floating device along a propulsion axis.

Furthermore, the propulsion axis is defined by the force applied by the propulsion means to the at least one of the float and the body, wherein the first, second and third floats are

shaped for supporting a person carried on the body of the floating device and configured for rotationally stability along the propulsion axis.

Brief Description of the Drawings Embodiments of the invention are described hereinafter with reference to the drawings, in which:

Fig. IA is a plan view of a floating device according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

Fig. IB is a side elevation of the floating device according to view A of Fig. IA illustrating a first hinge on the outwardly opposite side of the supporting face of a first segment of the body;

Fig. 1C is plan view of the floating device according to view B of Fig. IA illustrating a first side of the first segment of the body without a second hinge;

Fig. ID is plan view of the floating device according to view C of Fig. IA illustrating a second side of the first segment of the body without a third hinge;

Fig. IE is a side elevation of the floating device of Fig. IA when collapsed;

Fig. 2 A is a plan view of a variant of the floating device of Fig. IA;

Fig. 2B is a side elevation of the floating device according to view D of Fig. 2A illustrating the position of a keel, a cleat and an adaptor mechanism of the floating device;

Fig. 2C is a side elevation of a support having a seat and a backrest and showing clasps on the supporting surface of the first segment of the body;

Fig. 2D is a reverse plan view of the support according to view E of Fig. 2C illustrating four catches for securing the clasps on the supporting surface of the first segment of the body;

Fig. 2E is a perspective view of the floating device of Fig. 2 A illustrating the use of a sail and a mast as a propulsion means for the floating device;

Fig. 3A is a plan view of the floating device according to a second embodiment of the invention and illustrating the usage of fasteners to secure the different members of the floating device;

Fig. 3B is a back view of the floating device according to view F of Fig. 3 A illustrating a pair of concavity being formed in the first segment of the body for water passage therealong.

Fig. 3 C is a side elevation of the floating device of Fig. 3 A showing the position of the keel on the first segment of the body;

Fig. 3D is a perspective view of the floating device of Fig. 3 A illustrating the use of a sail and a mast as a propulsion means for the floating device;

Fig. 4A is a plan view of the floating device according to a third embodiment of the invention and illustrating the usage of a shaft to secure the body of the floating device to the third float;

Fig. 4B is a side elevation of the floating device of Fig. 4A illustrating the position of the cleat on the shaft;

Fig. 5A is a plan view of an alternative variant of the third embodiment of the invention in Fig. 4A illustrating the usage of two shafts and a board in a H-configuration for improved securing of the body of the floating device to the third float;

Fig. 5B is a side elevation of the floating device of Fig. 5 A illustrating the position of the cleat on the board of the H-configuration;

Fig. 6A is a plan view of the floating device according to a fourth embodiment of the invention and illustrating the usage of two connection plates to connect the body of the floating device to the third float;

Fig. 6B is a side elevation of the floating device of Fig. 6 A illustrating the position of the cleat on the third float;

Fig. 7A is a perspective view of the floating device according to a fifth embodiment of the invention and illustrating a first float and a second float connected to the third float;

Fig. 7B is a side elevation of the floating device of Fig. 7A illustrating the passage through the third float for attaching a keel thereto; and

Fig. 7C is a plan view of the floating device of Fig. 7A illustrating that the first segment of the floating device having a larger seating area and is tapered to align with the second segment.

Detailed Description

With reference to the drawings, embodiments of the invention are described hereinafter for addressing the need for a recreational floating device that is lightweight, portable and can easily be assembled before use and disassembled thereafter. Conventional floating devices are bulky and difficult to carry around while smaller portable floating devices are difficult to assemble and face stability problems when in use. This is due to improved maneuverability of the smaller portable floating devices which results in elevated instability.

A floating device according to an embodiment of the invention allows the floating device to provide stability in addition to buoyancy when being deployed in water while being lightweight and easily assembled and disassembled for portability. The floating device is

preferably storable for packing into a lightweight carry bag. In addition, the floating device can easily be controlled by a person who is seated in an ergonomically comfortable position with a low center of gravity.

For purposes of brevity and clarity, the description of the invention is limited hereinafter to applications related to windsurfing or sailing. This however does not preclude embodiments of the invention from other areas of application that require similar operating performance for, for example, windsurfing or sailing. The functional and operational principles on which the embodiments of the invention are based remain the same throughout the various embodiments.

Embodiments of the invention are described in greater detail hereinafter for a floating device that is lightweight and portable. In the detailed description provided hereinafter and illustrations provided in Figs. 1 to 7C of the drawings, like elements are identified with like reference numerals.

In accordance with Fig. IA, which shows a first embodiment of the invention, the basic structure of a floating device 100 comprises a body having a first segment 102 and a second segment 104. The floating device 100 further comprises a first float 106, a second float 108 and a third float 110. Preferably, the first segment 102 of the body is spatially configured adjacent to the second segment 104 of the body when the floating device 100 is assembled. Furthermore each of the first and second segments 102, 104 of the body is preferably substantially box-shaped. A first hinge 112 connects the first segment 102 of the body and the second segment 104 of the body together as shown in Fig. IB. The first hinge 112 is placed between sides of the first segment 102 of the body and the second segment 104 of the body that are inwardly opposing when the floating device 100 is assembled and positioned on edges thereof distal from a supporting face 114 of the first segment 102 of the body. The supporting face 114 of the first segment 102 of the body is skyward facing when the floating device 100 is assembled and deployed in water.

Preferably, each of the first float 106 and the second float 108 is cylindrically shaped and rounded at both ends thereof. With reference to Fig. IA, the cylindrical surfaces of the

first float 106 and the second float 108 are positioned along outwardly opposing sides of the first segment 102 of the body that extend adjacently from the periphery of the supporting face 114 of the first segment 102 of the body. The first segment 102 of the body is positioned between the first float 106 and the second float 108. A second hinge 116 connects the first segment 102 of the body to the first float 106. The second hinge 116 is positioned on the first side 118 of the first segment 102 of the body whereby the first side 118 of the first segment 102 faces the first float 106 as shown in Fig. 1C. A third hinge 120 connects the first segment 102 of the body to the second float 108. The third hinge 120 is positioned on a second side 122 of the first segment 102 of the body whereby the second side 122 of the body faces the second float 108 as shown in Fig. ID. The second and third hinges 116, 120 are placed on the first and second sides 118, 122 respectively, on edges thereof proximal to the supporting face 114.

In Fig. IB, the third float 110 is connected to the second segment 104 of the body by a fourth hinge 124. A portion of the third float 110 tapers towards an edge to thereby provide the third float 110 with a beveled edge. The third float 110 and the second segment 104 of the body are further secured by a disengagable catch (not shown) that is disposed between the third float 110 and a side of the second segment 104 away from the fourth hinge 124 when the floating device is assembled and deployed in water. AU the above-mentioned hinges are accompanied by a disengagable catch mechanism (not shown) to further secured the floating device 100 when assembled and deployed in water.

Preferably, an adaptor mechanism 126 is positioned on a holding face 128 of the third float 110. The holding face 128 for the third float 110 is substantially co-planar with the supporting face 114 of the first segment 102 of the body coupling a propulsion means onto the floating device 100.

The first, second and third floats 106,108,110 are water buoyant. As abovementioned, the body is collapsible into two segments, the first and the second segments 102,104. The first and second segments 102, 104 are not water-buoyant and are shaped and dimensioned for spatially inter-displacing and configuring the first, second and third floats 106,108,110. Each of the first, second and third floats 106,108,110 is preferably

made of closed-cell polystyrene foam and coated with at least one of two layers of fiberglass, plastic, acrylonitrile butadienestyrene (ABS) and other hard foam for impact resistance.

The first float 106 and second float 108 are configured substantially in-plane with the first segment 102 of the body for impeding rotational hydro-mobility substantially about a first axis 129. In addition, the third float 110 is positioned to form a triangle with the third float 110 at the top of the triangle with reference to the first float 106 and second float 108. The third float 110 impedes rotational hydro-mobility substantially about a second axis 130 being perpendicular to the first axis 129.

Alternatively, the first and second segments 102,104 can be made to be water buoyant. However, the water buoyancy of the first and second segments should not affect the stabilizing function of the first, second and third floats 106, 108, 110.

The floating device 100 further comprises propulsion means for harnessing the wind forces. The propulsion means is couplable to at least one of the float 106, 108, 110 or the body 102, 104 through the use of the adaptor mechanism 126. In addition, the propulsion means is operable for propelling the floating device 100 along a propulsion axis 131. The propulsion axis 131 is determined by the force being applied by the propulsion means to at least one of the float and the body for moving the floating device 100. In addition, the propulsion axis 131, the first axis 129 and the second axis 130 are substantially in-plane.

Furthermore, the propulsion means (not shown) is preferably a sail (not shown) that is shaped and dimensioned for harnessing wind and is removably attached to a mast (not shown). The mast is removably coupled to at least one of the body or the float. In addition, the sail and the mast are collapsible for easy storage and portability.

With reference to Figs. IA and IE, the hinges are used for joining all the individual members of the floating device 100 together. Additionally, the hinges allow the individual members to be folded onto each other to enable the floating device 100 to be collapsible for easy storage and portability. The first segment 102 of the body and the

second segment 104 of the body are folded together about the first hinge 112 of the floating device 100. In addition, the first float 106 and second float 108 are foldable onto the supporting face 114 of the first segment 102 of the body using the second and third hinges 116,120. Finally, the second segment 104 of the body and the third float 110 are folded together about the fourth hinge 124 such that a control face 132 of the second segment 104 of the body faces the holding face 128 of the third float 110 for transforming the floating device 100 into a compact package as shown in Fig. IE.

Fig. 2A shows a floating device 200 which is an alternative variant of the first embodiment of the invention shown in Fig IA. The floating device 200 comprises three main elements - the floats 106,108,110, the body and the propulsion means, having a similar configuration except that the first and second segments 102,104 of the body are removably inter-engagable.

In the alternative variant, the first, second, third and fourth hinges 112,116,120,124 are replaced with connecting pins 202 that are rubber-ribbed. The connecting pins 202 extend from the first and second segments 102,104 of the body. Two connecting pins 202 are positioned on the first side 118 of the first segment 102 of the body while another two connecting pins 202 are positioned on the second side 122 of the first segment 102 of the body. The second segment 104 of the body is also preferably formed with four connecting pins 202. Two of the four connecting pins 202 are also formed on one side of the second segment that is connecting the first 102 and second 104 segments of the body while the other two connecting pins 202 are fitted on the opposite side thereof.

Receptacles 204, which are internally ribbed, are formed in the first, second and third floats 106,108,110 and spatially corresponds with the connecting pins 202 on the first and second segments 102,104 of the body. Each of the receptacles 204 receives one of the connecting pins 202 therein for securing the different members of the floating device 200 together.

With reference to Fig. 2B, the alternative variant of the first embodiment of the invention further comprises a support 206, a keel 208 and a cleat 210. The support 206 can be

attached to or formed on the body for supporting a person on the supporting face 114 of the first segment 102 of the body. In Fig. 2B, the support 206 is formed on the first segment 102 of the body. The support 206 is preferably a seat 212 and a backrest 214 for providing the rider with a substantially comfortable position for controlling the floating device 200. The seat 212 and the backrest 214 are connected together preferably with a hinge 216. The hinge 216 attaches the seat 212 to the backrest 214 together, thereby allowing the seat 212 and the backrest 214 to collapse onto each other for easy storage and portability.

The face opposite the seating side 218 of the seat 212 preferably has four catches 220 that releases upon activation of an opening mechanism 222 disposed on one side of the seat 212. Four clasps are formed on the supporting face 114 of the first segment 102 of the body to secure the seat 212 through engagement with the four catches 220.

The keel 208 is positioned outwardly opposite the supporting face 114 of the first segment 102 of the body. The keel 208 is being one of attached to and formed on the first segment 102 of the body for preventing sideway drift of the floating device 200 along the first axis and providing stability to the floating device 200.

The cleat 210 is positioned on the control face 132 of the second segment 104 of the body that is substantially co-planar to the supporting face 114 of the first segment 102 of the body. Sailing lines are tied on the cleat 210 for seeming the sailing lines to the floating device 200. Preferably, a pulley system (not shown) is integrated with the cleat 210 for use in controlling the rotation of the mast about the longitudinal axis thereof for positioning the sail for wind capture.

Finally a pair of footrest 226 is preferably formed at the corners of the third float 110 spatially adjacent to the second segment 104 of the body for supporting the feet and therefore resting the legs of the person. In addition, a pair of foot fasteners 228 is constructed at the footrest 226 for securing the legs of the person for preventing the person from shifting about.

With reference to Fig. 2E, the propulsion means is preferably a sail 230 that is shaped and dimensioned for harnessing wind and is removably attached to a mast 232. The mast 232 is removably coupled to at least one of the body or the float. In addition, the sail 230 and the mast 232 are collapsible for easy storage and portability. Alternatively, the propulsion means is a paddle (not shown) removably attached to the second segment 104 of the body for use by a person seated on the floating device 200 to manually propel the floating device 200.

A second embodiment of the invention of a floating device 300 is shown in Fig. 3 A. The floating device 300 comprises three main elements - the floats 106,108,110, the body and the propulsion means while having a similar configuration in the first embodiment of the invention as shown in Fig. IA except that the body of the floating device 300 is streamlined and fasteners 302 are used for joining together the different members of the floating device 300.

The body of the floating device 300 is structurally streamlined and shaped for improving visual aesthetics while allowing the securing of fasteners 302 into the receptacles 204 of the floating device 300 for fastening the three floats and the body together. The first segment 102 of the body forms a T- shape with the two protruding sides 304 of the first segment 102 of the body facing the first and second floats 106,108. The support 206 is positioned between the two protruding sides 304. With reference to Fig. 3B, a pair of concavities 305 is formed on the first segment 102 of body for substantially reducing drag along the second axis 130 caused by the fluid flow resistant structural shape of the first segment 102 of the body.

The second segment 104 of the body is formed into an I-shape. One end of the second segment 104 of the body is connected to the end of the T-shape first segment 102 of the body while the other end of the second segment 104 of the body is connected to a flat side 306 of the third float 110.

A channel 308 is formed in each of the first and second floats 106,108 facing the protruding sides 304 of the first segment 102 of the body. The protruding sides 304 of the

first segment 102 of the body can be inserted into each channel 308. A receptacle 204 extends from the channel 308 towards a face of each of the first float 106 and the second float 108 that outwardly opposes the corresponding channel 308. Each of the first and second floats 106,108 is secured to the first segment 102 of the body using the fasteners 302. Fig. 3 C shows the side elevation of the second embodiment of the invention with the keel 208 extending from the first segment 102 of the body.

Similarly, the receptacles 204 are also formed on the two segments 102, 104 of the body and the third float 110. The receptacles 204 are formed on the four protruding corners 310 of the I-shaped second segment 104 of the body. Each receptacle 204 of the second segment 104 of the body spatially corresponds with either one of the receptacles 312 of the first segment 102 of the body or one of the receptacles 314 of the third float 110. The fasteners 302 are fastened through the receptacles 204 of second segment 104 of the body into the receptacles 204 of the first segment 102 of the body and the third float 110 to thereby secure the whole floating device 300 together. Fig. 3D shows a perspective view of the second embodiment of the invention.

With reference to the first embodiment of the invention, a third embodiment of the invention can be constructed as shown in Fig. 4A. The floating device 400 comprises three main elements — the floats 106,108,110, the body and the propulsion means while having a similar configuration in an alternative variant of the first embodiment of the invention as shown in Figs 2A and 2B except that the second segment 104 of the body has been shaped into a shaft 402. The shaft 402 is substantially in-line with the first segment 102 of the shaft 402 and the third float 110.

A single receptacle 204 is formed in the first segment 102 of the body and the third float 110 for receiving and mounting the shaft 402 thereinto. The receptacle 204 is formed in the first segment 102 of the body on the side opposite the support 206 while the other receptacle 204 is formed in the flat side 306 of the third float 110.

The shaft 402 is securable onto the first segment 102 of the body and the third float 110 through the use of interference fitting joints 404. The interference fitting joint 404 can be

attached to or formed on both ends of the shaft 402. Fig. 4B shows the side elevation of the third embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 5A shows a floating device 500 which is an alternative variant of the third embodiment of the invention shown in Fig 4A. Two shafts 402 and a board 502 are used to secure the first segment 102 of the body and the third float 110 together in a H- configuration.

The two shafts 402 are disposed spatially parallel and a distance away therefrom. A board 406 in the middle of the two shafts 402 secures the two shafts 402 together while forming a H-configuration to strengthen the whole structure of the floating device 500. The cleat 210 of the floating device 500 is formed on the board 502 for securing the sailing lines. Fig. 5B shows the side elevation of the alternative variant of the third embodiment.

With reference to the first embodiment of the invention, a fourth embodiment of the invention can be constructed as shown in Fig. 6A. The floating device 600 comprises three main elements - the floats 106,108,110, the body 602 and the propulsion means while having a similar configuration in the first embodiment of the invention as shown in Fig IA with the body comprising only one segment compared to the preceding embodiments of the invention, the third float 110 of the fourth embodiment has a larger size. The third float 110 further comprises a cleat 210 for securing the sailing lines.

Two connecting plates 604 connect the body 602 and the third float 110 together. One end of the connecting plate 604 is attached to a first comer 606 of the third float 110 perpendicular to a flat side 306 of the third float 110 while the other end of the connecting plate 604 is connected to the first side 608 of the body 602, which is co-planar to the third float 110. Similarly, a second comer 610 of the third float 110 is connected to a second side 612 of the body 602 with the use of another connecting plate 604. Fig. 6B shows the side elevation of the fourth embodiment of the invention.

A fifth embodiment of the invention, a floating device 700 is described hereinafter in reference to Fig. 7A. The floating device 700 comprises three main elements - the floats

106,108,110, the body and the propulsion means. The description in relation to the structural configurations of and positional relationships among the floats 106, 108, 110, the body and the propulsion means with reference to Figs 3 A-3D are incorporated herein. The first float 106 and the second float 108 of the floating device 700 are attachable to the side of the third float 110. Additionally, the keel 208 is also attachable to the third float 110 as a daggerboard being wedged through and thereby coupled to and extending from the third float. An opening through the third float 110 allows the daggerboard to be inserted and secured onto the third float 110 and be used as the keel 208 as shown in Fig. 7B.

Each of the floats 106/108 has an arm 702 extending therefrom for attachment onto the third float 110 as shown in Fig 7C. Each float 106/108 and the arms 702 thereof forms a T-shaped structure with the arm 702 being the bottom portion of the T-shaped structure being securable to the third float 110 using the fasteners 302. Additionally, the first segment 102 of the floating device 700 has a larger seating area and therefore is tapered to aligned and size match with the second segment 104 in order to connect the first segment 102 and the second segment 104 together using the fastener 302.

In each of the above-described embodiments of the invention, the sailing device is also usable for supporting a physical object instead of supporting just a person.

In the foregoing manner, a floating device that provides stability and buoyancy in water while being lightweight and easily assembled and disassembled for portability is disclosed. Although only a number of embodiments of the invention are disclosed, it becomes apparent to one skilled in the art in view of this disclosure that numerous changes and/or modification can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.